DaVinci Connection-June 4, 2021

DaVinci Academy

Staff Directory

Food Service

School Calendar

School Supplies

Volunteer Information

Anti-Bullying Policy

(subject to change-see online calendar)

6/11  No School

6/15  PTO Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

6/17  Last Day of School

6/17  Policy Committee Meeting, 1:45 p.m.

6/18  Teacher Workshop Day

6/18-8/9  No School

6/28  Board Meeting, 6 p.m.

Parents should call the attendance line at 763-252-6130 before 9:00 a.m. of the day your child will be absent. This phone number is available 24 hours a day to leave a message. Please leave the following information on the recording:

• Date your child will be absent
• First and last name of your child
• Reason for the absence
• Name of the parent/guardian who is calling

If you know your child(ren) will be gone more than three consecutive days, you will need to fill out an extended absence form four to six weeks in advance. Please send the Extended Absence Form to Ms. Moffatt.

Attendance Update

Please review the latest Attendance Update along with the details outlined below for using the attendance line. This update is for both distance and in-person learners.

You may view your child’s attendance record in your Campus Parent account.

To the left, you will find helpful links to important pages on our website.

Dear DaVinci Families,

Welcome to June! We are so grateful to be finishing out the school year with you as these warm and sunny days prepare us for summer! In the next few weeks we will be sharing with you what our plan for next school year will look like based on our current guidance from the state with regards to program offerings and Covid guidelines. We will also be sharing a survey with you to fill out and share your feedback on the 20-21 school year and your hopes for the 21-22 school year!

Need to Know

Reserve Your Child’s Seat on Next Year’s Buses Now

Returning Chromebooks & School Materials

School issued Chromebooks, library books, and curriculum that were sent home this year are due back to the school by the end of the day on Friday, June 18, which is the day after the last day of school and a teacher workshop day. These items can also be returned to the school office during the last week of school between the hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

We are asking parents to return computers to the office with the Chromebook Return Form (provided below) attached to them. You can print one off and bring it in, or one will be provided for you in the office. If your child is returning their Chromebook, one of these forms must already be attached to it with your signature. If your child has already returned their Chromebook to their classroom teacher, we would still like you to fill out the form so that we know the condition of the computer returned. Also, please don’t forget to return the cord (both ends) as there is a replacement fee of $15 for missing power cords.

Note: Chromebooks not returned by the end of the day on Friday, June 18 will be considered lost and families will be charged a $300 replacement fee. Please contact the school office with any questions or concerns.

Immunizations:

Please check with your student’s doctor to see if they will need any updated vaccines before next school year.  

Students entering kindergarten will need the following:

• DTaP:  5 doses 
• Polio (IPV/OPV):  4 doses
• Hep B:  3 doses
• MMR:  2 doses
• Varicella (Chicken Pox):  2 doses

Students Age 12+ (Entering 7th and 8th grade) will need:

• All the above vaccinations
• Tdap 
• Meningococcal

Immunization/Exemption forms can be found on the school website in the Students & Parents section under the Health Forms tab or can be found using this link.

Borrowed Clothing:

If your student has borrowed clothing from the nurse’s office this year, please wash it and return it at your earliest convenience. Thank you!

Nice to Know

Calling All 2021 Graduates

If you attended DaVinci Academy during your Kindergarten through eighth grade years and are graduating from high school this year, we would love to recognize your achievement. You are invited to come to the school at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 10 to walk the halls in your cap and gown and be celebrated by our current students and staff. Donuts will be served after the walk. Please RSVP to Holly Fischer at hfischer@davincicharterschool.org so that we can expect you. We are so excited to see you!

For current families’ reference, the 2020-21 graduating class is the very first DaVinci Academy Kindergarten class who started at the Blaine school.

Fundraising

Thank You!

A huge thank you to everyone who registered for our Topgolf fundraiser on June 13. We are so excited for this event and look forward to seeing you for an afternoon of fun and golf!

Support Space

Summertime Activity Resources

Hello DaVinci Community!

With summer quickly approaching, we wanted to pass along some amazing resources you may find helpful to assist in keeping your child active, learning, and having lots of fun over break. 

Activities for home, or with family:

• Gardening can encourage kids to eat healthier, provides exercise, boosts confidence, teaches science, and relieves stress and anxiety. 
  • Read stories like “We are the Gardeners” or “Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt” for inspiration!
  • Cook or snack on food from the garden!
  • Garden Critters Sensory Bin
• Check out this list of 100 Fun Summer Ideas for kids and families. See how many you can cross off before the weather turns cooler. 
• Summer is the perfect time to get out and ride your bike! Biking is a great way to stay active and have fun (at all ages!). Check out FB4K if you are needing support in obtaining a bike for your child this summer.  
• Make a difference! Volunteer as a family, or individually, to boost feel-good hormones and help others in need. It has been a tough year for so many and volunteering can benefit everyone involved!
  • Anoka County Volunteer Opportunities
  • Volunteer Match

In Your Community:

• Check out Family Fun Twin Cities for nearby family-friendly events.
• Take a hike! Check out Park Finder to discover new trails in your area, or enjoy familiar ones.
• Visit the movies! Many local cinemas offer discounted rates on matinee showings, Tuesdays, or early Saturday. (It is also a great way to stay cool when it gets hot out.)
• Take a peek at your community center’s event page for fun in your neighborhood!
  • Blaine Parks and Recreation

Looking for summer camp ideas?

• YMCA Camps
• MN Zoo Virtual Camp
• Inclusive Recreation, Adaptive Sports & Summer Camps with PACER Center
• Bridge the Gap Summer Camps for K-12 students with Autism Spectrum Disorder & Individual Learning Needs

Reading Opportunities

• Check out the Anoka County Library Calendar for up to date information on in-person and virtual events happening throughout the summer.
  • Join the Summer Adventures reading program! It encourages kids to read and helps them retain skills throughout the summer. 
  • Last summer, Anoka County residents read over 1,001,283 minutes! Help them beat the record this summer. 

• Check out Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Program to see how your student can earn a free book!

Summer Food Service Program (SFSP)

• Access the MN Dept of Education Resource for low-cost or free nutritious food options. 
• Use these resources to find an SFSP site near you:
  • Download the Free Meals for Kids app provided by Hunger Impact Partners to your phone or device.
  • Call the 211 Hotline. From a cell phone – Twin Cities Metro Area: 651-291-0211, Greater Minnesota: 1-800-543-7709, TTY: 651-291-8440.
  • Call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 1-888-711-1151, available from Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Central Time.
  • Text “Food” to 877-877. Spanish speakers, text “comida” to 877-877.

If you have any questions, concerns, or are in need of additional support as we head into the summer, please reach out to us for support. If your family is faced with new or ongoing needs and challenges, please let us know by filling out this survey. Someone from our team will reach out to assist your family!

Sincerely,

Your Mental Health Team

Phoenix Hathaway (K-4 School Counselor) www.calendly.com/mshathaway (763) 200-1338

Melissa Derby (5-8 School Counselor) www.calendly.com/msderby (763) 200-1281

Courtney Rowe (K-8 School Social Worker) www.calendly.com/msrowe (763) 200- 6081

Nutritional Services

Ongoing

Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is launching a temporary federal program, the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) program, to help eligible families pay for internet service during the pandemic. Under this program, families can receive up to $50 per month, or $75 per month if on tribal lands, credited toward broadband services. Additionally, families may receive a discount of up to $100 on a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer.

Households can qualify if they participate in the supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). Households with a child who was eligible for free or reduced price meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) in school years 2019-20 or 2020-21, including children who attended schools participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), are also eligible for the EBB program. For more information, please visit the new EBB website.

Music Lessons Available at Hovland Conservatory

The Budding Musician Scholarship at Hovland Conservatory is back! Start lessons at the ideal time for learning, tuition-free. There is no obligation to continue following the scholarship, and you do not need an instrument at home to give lessons a try. Weekly private lessons are held at Hovland’s studio near Hwy 65 and Main Street, or online. 

Students in kindergarten receive four free 30-minute private lessons. Grades 1 and 2 receive two free 30-minute private lessons. Grades 3 and up receive a money back guarantee after two 30-minute private lessons.

Hovland Conservatory is a 501c3 nonprofit music educator providing private lessons for all ages. You can find more information about their program and the benefits of music study here. 

COVID-19 Resources

COVID-19 Updates

Minnesota News and Outreach—June 2, 2021 Bulletin

Vaccine Provider Weekly Update

Community Testing

• Testing is free, you do not need insurance or identification.
• You can get tested even if you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19.
• To avoid long lines, people are encouraged to pre-register for a time slot, using the registration link listed for each location.

Testing Resource for Families

MDH recommends all school-age youth returning to school, youth sports, or extracurricular activities, and their families, get tested every two weeks through the end of the school year. While it is not a requirement, regular testing complements other safety measures already in place, such as masking and social distancing. 

For more information, please visit COVID-19 Testing for Kids and Families. Getting tested every two weeks from now until the end of the school year can help keep schools open and sports operating, and ensure we are limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Rapid Testing Locations

Minnesota Rapid Testing Locations

Vaccine Connector

The MN Department of Education has asked us once again to share this letter, outlining who is currently eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine as well as how to get registered using the Vaccine Connector. This letter is now available Hmong, Somali and Spanish, too. 

State Fair FEMA Site

Check out this State Fair FEMA vaccination site flyer to learn more about getting vaccinated through the Minnesota Community Vaccination Program.

Vaccine Tracking

Minnesota has launched a public vaccine data dashboard to detail the progress of COVID-19 vaccine allocation, distribution and administration across Minnesota. The dashboard provides a visual and user-friendly way to view key vaccination data. The dashboard includes information on the number of doses promised (allocated) to the state by the federal government; shipped to Minnesota providers; and administered to Minnesotans. Information is updated daily at 11 a.m.

View Minnesota’s dashboard for vaccine tracking

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Age 12 and Older

Minnesotans age 12- through 17-years-old are eligible to get vaccinated at state sites that have Pfizer available: Bloomington (Mall of America), Saint Paul (Roy Wilkins Auditorium), Lino Lakes, and Oakdale. 

Families in Greater Minnesota looking for a vaccine closer to home are encouraged to talk to their child’s health care provider, visit the state’s Find Vaccine Locations map, or go to Vaccines.gov to search for providers administering Pfizer vaccines.

We strongly encourage all of our students ages 12 and up to get the Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible. Getting our students vaccinated will help keep us on track for a school experience that resembles what we are used to and will help protect those who are not yet able to be vaccinated, like younger siblings.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in adolescents. Adolescents, like adults, may have some side effects after vaccination, which are normal signs that their body is building protection. If you have questions about COVID-19 vaccine, or any other vaccines your child may need, talk to your child’s health care provider.

A Reminder on Parental Consent:

• Parent or guardian consent is required for COVID-19 vaccination for people younger than 18 years old. Families are highly encouraged to join 12- through 17-year-olds and get vaccinated at the same time.
• For State Community Vaccination Clinics:
  • 12- to 15-year-olds must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
  • 16- and 17-year-olds must receive permission from a parent or guardian, either in person through being accompanied by a parent or guardian, or online beforehand through the appointment scheduling and registration process.
  • Families are highly encouraged to join 12- to 17-year-olds and get vaccinated at the same time.

How Minnesotans Can Get Their Shot at No Cost:

• Vaccine Connector: You can directly sign up for an appointment at one of the state Community Vaccination Program locations at VaccineConnector.mn.gov.
  • Walk-ins for Minnesotans 12+ will be accepted at state community vaccination sites administering Pfizer vaccines in Bloomington (Mall of America), Saint Paul (Roy Wilkins Auditorium), Lino Lakes and Oakdale.
  • Walk-ins and appointments for Minnesotans 18+ are accepted at all sites.
• Vaccine Locator Map: You can use the Vaccine Locator Map to search for providers who are offering COVID-19 vaccine to Minnesotans ages 12 and older at https://mn.gov/covid19/vaccine/find-vaccine/locations/index.jsp.
• Vaccine Finder: You can also find COVID-19 vaccine appointments at Vaccines.gov, which allows you to filter by vaccine manufacturer and search for only Pfizer vaccine appointments.

Health Care Provider: You can also contact your child’s primary health care provider, local public health department, or a local pharmacy.

Help Wanted